Cold Weather Facemask

ABSTRACT

A cold weather facemask is described. Embodiments of the cold weather facemask include a front panel being coupled to a back panel. The front side panel can include, but is not limited to, a nose pocket, an exhaust vent, heating elements, and piping located along a top edge of the front side panel. The back panel can be manufactured from an elastic material. The back panel can be implemented to compress the front panel against a face of a wearer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/716,434, filed Aug. 9, 2018.

BACKGROUND

Facemasks and bandanas are commonly used by winter sports enthusiasts and people who work outdoors in cold weather. Skiers, snowboarders, hunters, construction workers and people in the oil and gas industry use facemasks to cover the portions of the face below the eyes thus protecting the skin from windburn and frostbite. These masks are typically made of any suitable material including cotton fabric, synthetic fabrics, and neoprene. Depending on the material used in a construction of the mask, the masks do provide some insulative properties; however, their main benefit is acting as a wind break effectively minimizing the effects of wind chill.

One of the most significant issues associated with these types of masks is the incomplete seal formed against the face below the eyes along their top edge of the facemask or bandanna. More specifically, gaps that form around the interface with the nose and the portion of the face on either side of the nose just below the eyes permit warm and moist breath to travel upwardly into goggles of a wearer potentially fogging the goggles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a cold weather facemask according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a back view of a cold weather facemask according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a front view of a cold weather facemask on a wearer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a side view of a cold weather facemask on a wearer according to one embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 3C is a back, side view of a cold weather facemask on a wearer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a block diagram of a cold weather mask including a heating assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a front view of a cold weather facemask including heating elements according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4C is a front view of another cold weather facemask including heating elements according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention include a cold weather facemask. In one embodiment, the cold weather facemask can include a heating assembly for keeping a wearer warm in cold weather. Typically, the facemask can include, but is not limited to, a front panel and a back panel. Vertical edges of the front panel can be coupled to vertical edges of the back panel to form an opening through which a head of a wearer can be passed through. The front panel can include a pocket, an exhaust vent, and piping along a top edge of the front panel. In one example, the front panel have an inverted pentagonal shape. The back panel can typically be comprised of an elastic material that stretches in four different directions.

The facemask can be characterized by several important and novel features. Embodiments of the facemask can include a continuous elastic spandex back panel that can be permanently attached to left and right sides of a front panel. In one instance, to don the facemask, a wearer can stretch the spandex material and place the facemask over thier head releasing the spandex once on the head. The spandex can allow for the wearer to pull the front top edge of the facemask firmly against the face of the wearer. The front top edge of the facemask can include the piping which can improve the seal against the face.

Proximate a center of the front side of the facemask, the pocket can be provided to permit the top edge to better conform to a bridge of a nose and provide a more complete seal. Below the nose pocket, the exhaust vent can be provided. In one example, the exhaust vent can include a plurality of mesh vents including one specifically located below the nose to help expel hot moist breath from behind the mask. By implementing the nose pocket and the piping, the risk of goggle fogging can be reduced.

Additionally, some embodiments of the facemask can incorporate a thin flexible semi-conductive elastomeric material that is adapted to heat up when a current is applied to the material by a battery pack typically attached to the back panel of the mask.

In one embodiment, the front of the facemask can be comprised of a wind and water-resistant outer material and an inner layer of a thin fleece wicking material. The continuous back of the facemask can be comprised of a 4-way stretch material (e.g., spandex) that expands to allow a wearer to pull the facemask over thier head and then upon partial retraction, the stretch material can hold the facemask firmly against the face of the wearer.

In one example, the facemask can include three mesh vents with a top vent being located proximate nostrils of a wearer. Two lower vents can be located near the mouth of a wearer. In one instance, a vinyl material can frame the vent openings partially for aesthetics but also to give the area of the facemask form and more rigidity.

In one embodiment, the piping can be vinyl fabric piping. The piping can be provided along a top edge of the front of the facemask to help seal the top edge of the facemask against a face of a wearer. A portion of the facemask above the mesh vents can be configured to form a pocket for receiving a nose of a wearer and help ensure a better seal of the top edge around the nose.

Of note, the top edge along the sides of the facemask when worn can sit below ears of the wearer allowing the wearer to easily insert and remove ear buds. The front panel of the facemask can extend downwardly to fully cover a chin and neck of a wearer coming to a point evoking the look of a bandanna.

Of particular importance, the back panel of the facemask can be continuous and must be stretched to be received over the head of a wearer. The facemask can be further sized such that when positioned in place, the back panel can be extended at least a little beyond a fully retracted state and as such, the back panel can apply a modest force to pull the top edge of the front panel of the facemask flush against the face of a wearer.

In one example manufacturing process to create the nose pocket, a slit can be cut into the fabric into which a triangular section can be sewn. The addition of this extra material can cause the facemask to extend outwardly in this location creating a pocket for the nose of a wearer and facilitating the top edge of the front side of the facemask to fit more snuggly around the bridge of the nose of the wearer.

As previously discussed, the uppermost vent can generally be located just below a nose of a wearer when worn and as such helps evacuate moist warm air exhaled from the nostrils out of the facemask. The lower vents can serve to facilitate the expulsion of moist warm air exhaled from the mouth.

Embodiments of the facemask can further include a layer of a flexible rubber-like sheet that when a current is applied to the material the temperature of the material increases. In one instance, the sheet can comprise a carbon filled elastomeric polymer. The conductive particles can be conductive and rest against one another to form high resistance continuous electrical paths through the material. The high resistance can cause the current to be converted to heat, thereby increasing a temperature of the material. By strategically placing the material in the front panel of the facemask, typically between the inner and outer layers of the facemask, and applying a current to the material the facemask may act to warm the underlying facial skin of the wearer. The sheet material can be adhesively secured in place or sewn in place without negatively impacting a functionality of the sheet material.

For embodiments including the heated sheet material, a pair of wires can typically extend from each heated section to a battery pack. In one instance, the battery pack can be located on the back side of the facemask. The battery pack can utilize rechargeable batteries or allow for the use of commonly available disposable cells, such as AA or AAA alkaline batteries. The battery pack can also include a controller in which the relative heat output of the heated sheet can be adjusted. In one variation, the controller can comprise a voltage regulator wherein a switch is provided that allows a wearer to change the voltage, which in turn can regulate the heat output of the sections of heated sheet.

One example embodiment of the cold weather facemask can be defined by, but is not limited to, a continuous back side comprising a stretchable fabric, a nose pocket, mesh nose and mouth vents, piping along a top edge of a front side of the facemask, and the front side comprising at least two fabric layers: a moisture wicking interior layer and a wind and/or water resistant outer layer. The cold weather facemask may further include one or more thin flexible sheet heating material placed in strategic locations in the front side of the facemask. The heating material can be operatively coupled to a power source. The power source may comprise one or more batteries located on a back side of the facemask. In one example, the heating material may be manufactured and produced by FabRoc®. The cold weather facemask may further include a controller configured to control the heat output of the heating material.

Terminology

The terms and phrases as indicated in quotation marks (“ ”) in this section are intended to have the meaning ascribed to them in this Terminology section applied to them throughout this document, including in the claims, unless clearly indicated otherwise in context. Further, as applicable, the stated definitions are to apply, regardless of the word or phrase's case, to the singular and plural variations of the defined word or phrase.

The term “or” as used in this specification and the appended claims is not meant to be exclusive; rather the term is inclusive, meaning either or both.

References in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “another embodiment, “a preferred embodiment”, “an alternative embodiment”, “one variation”, “a variation” and similar phrases mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or variation, is included in at least an embodiment or variation of the invention. The phrase “in one embodiment”, “in one variation” or similar phrases, as used in various places in the specification, are not necessarily meant to refer to the same embodiment or the same variation.

The term “couple” or “coupled” as used in this specification and appended claims refers to an indirect or direct physical connection between the identified elements, components, or objects. Often the manner of the coupling will be related specifically to the manner in which the two coupled elements interact.

The term “directly coupled” or “coupled directly,” as used in this specification and appended claims, refers to a physical connection between identified elements, components, or objects, in which no other element, component, or object resides between those identified as being directly coupled.

The term “approximately,” as used in this specification and appended claims, refers to plus or minus 10% of the value given.

The term “about,” as used in this specification and appended claims, refers to plus or minus 20% of the value given.

The terms “generally” and “substantially,” as used in this specification and appended claims, mean mostly, or for the most part.

Directional and/or relationary terms such as, but not limited to, left, right, nadir, apex, top, bottom, vertical, horizontal, back, front and lateral are relative to each other and are dependent on the specific orientation of a applicable element or article, and are used accordingly to aid in the description of the various embodiments and are not necessarily intended to be construed as limiting.

An Embodiment of a Facemask

Referring to FIG. 1, a detailed diagram of an embodiment 100 of a facemask is illustrated. The facemask 100 can be implemented to provide a secure interface between a front of the facemask and a face of a wearer. The facemask 100 can include exhaust openings for breath to be exhausted from a mouth and nose of a wearer. By implementing a more secure interface between the facemask and the face of a wearer, along with the exhaust openings, goggle fogging can be substantially reduced when the facemask 100 is worn in cold temperatures.

As shown in FIG. 1, the facemask 100 can have an inverted pentagonal shape with a bottom of the facemask 100 converging to a point. Of note, the lower half of the facemask 100 can look substantially similar to a bandana.

The facemask 100 can include, but is not limited to, a body 102, an exhaust 104, a pocket 106, and semi-rigid piping 108. The body 102 of the facemask 102 can typically include a first panel 110 and a second panel 112 (shown in FIG. 2). The first panel 110 can be coupled to the second panel 112 along vertical edges of the respective panels. When coupled together, the first panel 110 and the second panel 112 can form an opening through which a head of a wearer may pass. The first panel 110 can be implemented as a front side for the facemask 100 and the second panel 112 can be implemented as a back side for the facemask 100.

The front panel 110 can typically include an exterior layer and an interior layer. For instance, the exterior layer can be comprised of a wind and/or water-resistant material and the interior layer can be comprised of a moisture wicking material. In one example, the exterior layer can be neoprene and the interior layer can be thin fleece.

The back panel 112 can be comprised of a substantially elastic (or stretchy) material. For instance, a four-way stretching material (e.g., spandex) can be implemented for the back panel 112 of the body 102. As shown in FIG. 2, the back panel 112 can be connected to the front panel 110 such that an opening is created at a bottom and a top of the body 102. The back panel 112 can allow a wearer to stretch the body 102 open such that the wearer can pass the body 102 of the facemask 100 over their head.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the exhaust 104 is shown located proximate a middle upper portion of the front panel 110 of the body 102. As shown, the exhaust 104 may include multiple openings 114 to allow breath to be exhausted from the facemask 100. Typically, a top vent 114 can be implemented to exhaust breath from a nose and the lower two vents 114 can be implemented to exhaust breath from a mouth of a wearer. As can be appreciated, a wearer can also breathe air in through the vents 114. By allowing breath to be exhausted to atmosphere out a front of the facemask 100, the hot air/moisture can be directed away from eyewear (e.g., goggles) a wearer may be wearing, thus reducing the risk of the eyewear becoming foggy. In one embodiment, the vents 114 may be comprised of mesh.

As shown, proximate a center of the front panel 110 of the facemask 100, the pocket 106 can be provided to permit a top edge of the facemask 100 to better conform to a bridge of a nose and provide a more complete seal. In one embodiment, a slit can be cut into the fabric into which a triangular portion can be sewn to form the pocket 106. The addition of the extra material can cause the facemask 100 to extend outwardly in this location creating a pocket for the nose of a wearer and facilitating the top edge of the front panel 110 of the facemask 100 to fit more snuggly around the bridge of the nose of the wearer.

The semi-rigid piping 108 can typically be located along a top edge of the front panel 110 of the facemask 100. The semi-rigid piping 108 can be implemented to help seal the top edge of the facemask 100 against a face of a wearer. In one embodiment, the semi-rigid piping 108 can be vinyl fabric piping. It is to be appreciated that other materials can be implemented as the semi-rigid piping 108. For instance, a semi-rigid foam can be implemented for the piping 108.

Referring to FIGS. 4A-4C, a block diagram and detailed diagrams of the facemask 100 including a heating assembly 140 are illustrated. As shown in FIG. 4A, the heating assembly 140 can include a pair of heating pads 150, a power source 160, and a controller 170. In one instance, the power source 160 can be a rechargeable battery. In another instance, the power source 160 can be one or more disposable batteries.

In one instance, as shown in FIG. 4A, the heating elements 150 can have a substantially rectangular shape. In a typical construction, the heating elements 150 can be located between layers of the front portion 110 of the facemask 100. As shown, the heating elements 150 can be located around the exhaust vent 104. As can be appreciated, the heating elements 150 can be located proximate cheeks of a wearer when the facemask 100 is placed on a face of a wearer.

In another instance, as shown in FIG. 4B, the heating elements 150 can have a shape that more closely places the heating elements 150 around the exhaust vent 104. Similar to the heating elements in FIG. 4A, the heating elements 150 in FIG. 4B can be located proximate cheeks of a wearer when the facemask 100 is being worn.

In one embodiment, the heating elements 150 can include, but are not limited to, a layer of a flexible rubber-like sheet that when a current is applied to the material the temperature of the material increases. In one instance, the sheet can comprise a carbon filled elastomeric polymer. Of note, the conductive particles can be conductive and rest against one another to form high resistance continuous electrical paths through the sheet. The high resistance can cause the current to be converted to heat, thereby increasing a temperature of the material. By strategically placing the material in the front of the facemask 100, typically between the inner and outer layers of the front panel 110 of the facemask 100, and applying a current to the sheet, the facemask 100 may act to warm the underlying facial skin of the wearer. The sheet material can be adhesively secured in place or sewn in place without negatively impacting a functionality of the sheet material.

For embodiments including the heating element 150, a pair of wires can typically extend from each heating element 150 to a power source 160. In one example, the power source 160 may be a battery pack. In another example, the power source 160 may be a rechargeable battery. In one instance, the power source 160 can be located on the back panel 112 of the facemask 100. The power source 160 can utilize rechargeable batteries or allow for the use of commonly available disposable cells, such as AA or AAA alkaline batteries. As previously mentioned, the heating elements 150 can also include a controller 170 in which a relative heat output of the heating elements 150 can be adjusted. In one variation, the controller 170 can comprise a voltage regulator wherein a switch is provided that allows a wearer to change the voltage, which in turn can regulate the heat output of the heating elements 150.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

The various embodiments and variations thereof, illustrated in the accompanying Figures and/or described above, are merely exemplary and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention. It is to be appreciated that numerous other variations of the invention have been contemplated, as would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure. All variations of the invention that read upon appended claims are intended and contemplated to be within the scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A facemask comprising: a first panel having a substantially inverted pentagonal shape and being manufactured from a first material and a second material, the first panel including: a nose pocket; an exhaust; and piping located along a top edge of the first panel; a second panel having a substantially rectangular shape and being manufactured from a third material, the third material being elastic; wherein vertical edges of the first panel are coupled to vertical edges of the second panel forming an opening for receiving a head therethrough.
 2. The facemask of claim 1, wherein the third material is adapted to stretch in four directions.
 3. The facemask of claim 1, wherein the first material is different from the second material.
 4. The facemask of claim 1, wherein the exhaust vent includes three meshed openings.
 5. The facemask of claim 1, wherein the piping is manufactured from a semi-rigid material.
 6. The facemask of claim 1, wherein the third material of the second panel is adapted to provide a compressive force to a head of a wearer when the facemask is being worn.
 7. The facemask of claim 1, wherein the nose pocket is located above the exhaust.
 8. The facemask of claim 1, wherein the piping is adapted to create a tight seal between the facemask and a face of a wearer.
 9. The facemask of claim 8, wherein the piping comprises vinyl fabric.
 10. The facemask of claim 1, wherein the first material is wind and water resistant and the third material is moisture wicking.
 11. A facemask comprising: a front side including (i) a first layer being manufactured from a moisture wicking material, (ii) a second layer being manufactured from a wind resistant material, (iii) a pocket adapted to receive a nose therein, (iv) piping located along a top edge of the front side, (v) one or more exhaust vents; and a back side being manufactured from a stretchable material; wherein vertical edges of the front side are coupled to vertical edges of the back side forming an opening adapted to receive a head therethrough.
 12. The facemask of claim 11, wherein the second layer of the front side is an exterior layer.
 13. The facemask of claim 11, the font side further including: a first heating element located between the first layer and the second layer; and a second heating element located between the first layer and the second layer.
 14. The facemask of claim 13, wherein (i) the first heating element is located approximate a left side of the front side and (ii) the second heating element is located approximate a right side of the front side.
 15. The facemask of claim 13, the facemask further comprising: a power source coupled to the first heating element and the second heating element.
 16. The facemask of claim 15, the facemask furthering comprising: a controller adapted to adjust an output of the power source to the first heating element can the second heating element.
 17. The facemask of claim 13, wherein the first heating element and the second heating element are adapted to be located proximate cheeks of a wearer.
 18. The facemask of claim 11, wherein the stretchable material of the back side is adapted to press the piping on the front side against a face of a wearer.
 19. The facemask of claim 11, wherein the nose pocket is located above the one or more exhaust vents.
 20. A facemask comprising: a substantially inverted pentagonal shaped first panel including an interior moisture wicking layer and a wind resistant exterior layer, the first panel including: a nose pocket; a plurality of exhaust vents; and piping located along a top edge of the first panel; a second panel having a substantially rectangular shape and being manufactured from an elastic material, vertical edges of the first panel being coupled to vertical edges of the second panel forming an opening for receiving a head therethrough; a first heating element and a second heating element each being located between the interior layer and exterior layer of the first panel; a power source coupled to the first heating element and the second heating element, the power source including a controller to adjust a temperature of the first heating element and the second heating element. 